Construction firm's £20m turnover aim

MEDIEVAL PROJECT: The Black Gate, in Newcastle, which NCS carried out work on

A CONSTRUCTION firm is looking to double turnover to £20m after completing work on a medieval landmark.

NCS, in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, has carried out a project at Black Gate, in Newcastle.

The company, which employs more than 60 staff, refurbished a reception and exhibition space, built an oak-clad external lift and worked on a dungeon in the city’s castle keep.

The Black Gate, which was the last addition to the city’s castle defences, was built between 1247 and 1250 in the reign of Henry III to act as a gateway to an earlier castle gate.

Bosses say the project is part of the firm’s continued expansion as it looks to lift existing £10m turnover.

The company, formerly known as Northern Construction Solutions, has also taken on business development director Jonathan Selwood-Hogg to support directors Sean Anderson and David Gardner.

Mr Anderson, who previously worked for national contractor Birse, founded NCS with Mr Gardner in January 2002.

He said: “It’s an exciting time for us.

“We are continuing to win work across the country and we’re taking on much larger contracts.

“We have built a great reputation in the North-East for our commitment to getting the job done right and for the innovative way we deal with more complex projects.

“The company is now at the stage where we want to build on those solid foundations.

“We know Jonathan very well having worked with him in the past at a national contractor and we know he shares our vision for the company and will be a huge asset over the next few years.”

Mr Anderson said it has also launched a new website and opened a Leeds office to compliment its growth.

He added: “We feel the new website and rebrand is a much simpler way of reflecting our ambitions to grow the business nationally.”

The company’s order book boasts a plethora of work in the region.

Previous projects include the installation of an under-stage floor and orchestra pit at Sunderland Empire Theatre and fitting of a drainage system at Newcastle International Airport’s fire training ground.

It has also extended and refurbished the RNLI boathouse in Staithes, North Yorkshire, and built concrete pits for PD Ports at Hartlepool dock.